Hello! New Trialmaster owner in NH and looking for rooftop tent/rack reviews.

[Flavor Hound]

We just drove our Sela Green Trialmaster home to NH, purchased at MileOne in Maryland. I’m in love, drove fantastic and now we get to set her up to go adventuring. Anyone have good/bad reviews on rooftop tents and a rack/what is needed to install it? The 4x4 Colorado Alto Mini is top of our list currently and I plan on calling them tomorrow to find out more about what is needed to install it.
Thanks in advance!
Heather

 

[Jeffrey]

Check out the dozens of RTT manufactures listed in the Overland Expo vendor list and then search for the reviews. Plenty of the same on the Tacoma and other vehicle owner forums. The info is out there and easy to find.

 

[anand]

Congrats on the new Grenadier!

There are lots of rack options, however, if the main goal is a RTT only, then look for something with fewer cross bars. Alu-Cab makes a specific mount for RTTs as does Leitner. That way you'll have an easier time mounting the tent.

As for tents, there are a lot of options, but many of them are the same tent with different colored fabric or different logos that are all made in the same place. If they look similar/the same, chances are they are the same (with drastically different pricing).

 

[Flavor Hound]

Check out the dozens of RTT manufactures listed in the Overland Expo vendor list and then search for the reviews. Plenty of the same on the Tacoma and other vehicle owner forums. The info is out there and easy to find.

Thank you Jeffrey! I will look to see if that vendor list is in this forum, if not will do a google search. Haven’t had a chance to look around here much and I’m looking forward to doing that tonight. I’m very eager to pick one and get on with it and it’s a bit of information overload (in the best of ways

 

[Flavor Hound]

Congrats on the new Grenadier!

There are lots of rack options, however, if the main goal is a RTT only, then look for something with fewer cross bars. Alu-Cab makes a specific mount for RTTs as does Leitner. That way you'll have an easier time mounting the tent.

As for tents, there are a lot of options, but many of them are the same tent with different colored fabric or different logos that are all made in the same place. If they look similar/the same, chances are they are the same (with drastically different pricing).

Really helpful, thank you! Jotting this down and will be researching tonight- RTT is the main goal so good point taken. I have noticed that they all look quite similar makes sense now. We don’t have the opportunity to see many (or any) RTTs in person so I love knowing what other Grenadier owners like. My 6’2” husband and I are over 50 yrs old so even though our son says we don’t need the queen- get the small- I disagree. I’d like to spend many nights on top of this lovely vehicle.

 

[LabRat]

I've got a Roam Vagabond sitting on 2 Leitner load bars. I actually have a total of 3 load bars because I also have a 270 awning and liked the attachment of that a bit wider than what is needed for the RTT.

 

[Brandtnm]

I've got a 23zero X3 (basically queen size), sitting on 2 Leitner load bars And Bernard’s good RTT mounts. I too have a total of 3 load bars to mount the iKamper hard shell 270 awning. I like 3 load bars spreading out weight. No bar has more than 100lbs dynamic and we get dynamic in Moab. Hard shells are a necessity in the southwest with 350 sunny days. The extra bar and width spread the load more than what is needed for a RTT, but it’s comforting knowing that the bed floor can now handle anything.

 

[LabRat]

Lots of pros and cons to RTTs. They are not for everyone. I got mine for a great price of FB marketplace. People are selling them all the time on there.

 

[anand]

Really helpful, thank you! Jotting this down and will be researching tonight- RTT is the main goal so good point taken. I have noticed that they all look quite similar makes sense now. We don’t have the opportunity to see many (or any) RTTs in person so I love knowing what other Grenadier owners like. My 6’2” husband and I are over 50 yrs old so even though our son says we don’t need the queen- get the small- I disagree. I’d like to spend many nights on top of this lovely vehicle.

One thing to consider, I don't know if they stock any RTTs, but Main Line Overland has a location in Bow, NH; if they do have any in stock that may help your selection/buying process; the best way is probably a show like Overland Expo that has every vendor there with all their product, but unfortunately there aren't any large shows in the North East

 

[grnamin]

I'm considering this one...

 

[Flavor Hound]

I've got a 23zero X3 (basically queen size), sitting on 2 Leitner load bars And Bernard’s good RTT mounts. I too have a total of 3 load bars to mount the iKamper hard shell 270 awning. I like 3 load bars spreading out weight. No bar has more than 100lbs dynamic and we get dynamic in Moab. Hard shells are a necessity in the southwest with 350 sunny days. The extra bar and width spread the load more than what is needed for a RTT, but it’s comforting knowing that the bed floor can now handle anything.
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That looks great! Exactly what I was looking for. I see the 23zero x3 is out of stock but there is a 23zero Ax3. Going to look and see what the difference is.

 

[Flavor Hound]

I've got a 23zero X3 (basically queen size), sitting on 2 Leitner load bars And Bernard’s good RTT mounts. I too have a total of 3 load bars to mount the iKamper hard shell 270 awning. I like 3 load bars spreading out weight. No bar has more than 100lbs dynamic and we get dynamic in Moab. Hard shells are a necessity in the southwest with 350 sunny days. The extra bar and width spread the load more than what is needed for a RTT, but it’s comforting knowing that the bed floor can now handle anything.
View attachment 7894506
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One question, if you have a moment- the X3 are out of stock. The AX3 won’t ship until mid June. I found a 23zero A3. These do not have the Xhinge frame (not sure the benefit of that, maybe easier set up,an extra little window, and space) and they are left side (driver for us) opening only. Would you see any reason why it would be worth waiting for the AX3? Would it really matter if I didn’t know the difference- thanks!

 

[Flavor Hound]

I'm considering this one...

Thanks for sharing this one, I’m quite sure we would like a hard top and a little quicker to set up (especially for times of bad weather). Great video explanation here!

 

[Brandtnm]

One question, if you have a moment- the X3 are out of stock. The AX3 won’t ship until mid June. I found a 23zero A3. These do not have the Xhinge frame (not sure the benefit of that, maybe easier set up,an extra little window, and space) and they are left side (driver for us) opening only. Would you see any reason why it would be worth waiting for the AX3? Would it really matter if I didn’t know the difference- thanks!

Sorry for the late response, life got in the way. I don’t know what the weight of the aluminium AX3 will be, but the plastic top x3 is about 215. The ax3 allows mounting either side , but the shape will be noisier, and the rack is nice if you’ve got the dynamic load left to put anything up there and won’t be much over 20 degree lateral (grenadier with heavy rtt is pretty tippy). Aluminum lasts forever but dents. The plastic just shrugs off limbs and the smooth shape doesn’t hang up on braches. The x3 is remarkably quiet for a rtt. The little window on the x series is awesome because you can always get the breeze and the back of the tent is taller. You should really check the stats of each model. It all kind of matters what the end use is. We are a tall couple, often in cold weather with lots of gear and spread out, so big is good. We have friend with a kabari style and it goes up faster, is taller, but far less spacious side to side

 

[OverlandGearGuy]

I have the 4x4 Colorado Elite RTT, Quality Tent, Blackout, insulated pretty good, other than a bit heavy, its great

 

[Flavor Hound]

Sorry for the late response, life got in the way. I don’t know what the weight of the aluminium AX3 will be, but the plastic top x3 is about 215. The ax3 allows mounting either side , but the shape will be noisier, and the rack is nice if you’ve got the dynamic load left to put anything up there and won’t be much over 20 degree lateral (grenadier with heavy rtt is pretty tippy). Aluminum lasts forever but dents. The plastic just shrugs off limbs and the smooth shape doesn’t hang up on braches. The x3 is remarkably quiet for a rtt. The little window on the x series is awesome because you can always get the breeze and the back of the tent is taller. You should really check the stats of each model. It all kind of matters what the end use is. We are a tall couple, often in cold weather with lots of gear and spread out, so big is good. We have friend with a kabari style and it goes up faster, is taller, but far less spacious side to side

Thank you for responding! I think we are quite close to biting the bullet on the Alucab- as much as I think I want a bigger sleeping space I just really love the clean look and simplicity of the clamshell. Guess we will never know until we are out on the road using it!!

 

[BrandonADV]

I've got a 23zero X3 (basically queen size), sitting on 2 Leitner load bars And Bernard’s good RTT mounts. I too have a total of 3 load bars to mount the iKamper hard shell 270 awning. I like 3 load bars spreading out weight. No bar has more than 100lbs dynamic and we get dynamic in Moab. Hard shells are a necessity in the southwest with 350 sunny days. The extra bar and width spread the load more than what is needed for a RTT, but it’s comforting knowing that the bed floor can now handle anything.
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Just 3 leitner bars needed for the tent and awning?

 

[4x4Brick #1561]

I got the 23Zero AX2 and put it on the full length standard Ineos Rhino Rack. I like it but a couple of take aways. 1 - it is TALL on the Grenny. I have to use a small stool I carry around to get to the latches on the top and I'm not short 5ft-10inches (in freedom units) / 1778mm (in conformist units). 2. Even when using the bungee cords to keep the sides of the tent 'in' when collapsing I found having a stick with a rounded end handy to 'poke' in the sides away from the hinges while I stand on the stool. I like being able to look out all four sides but the thin back window / low end of hard top tends to bunch and stick out after top is closed. I don't like having to have a second person help me put the tent away but it certainly helps to have them tuck in the back while I'm shutting top from the front. 3. I liked having the extra cargo bars on the hard top and had intended to keep my recovery boards up there but whether closed or open (planned to put them on the low side) they are just too tall to access unless I bring a ladder / stool taller than my 2 stop folder plastic Rubber Maid stool I'm using. Tent-wise all is good and as expected. Also - for those planning on having a high perch to shoot hogs or whatever from inside the tent - hearing protection is a MUST. The hardtop makes an excellent echo chamber and really amplifies the shot noise. Not unexpected but just in case you thought it might be muffled by the tent and pad, it isn't. One final hint, the stool when opened, is the correct angle for the ladder. So like the last attached picture shows, I used the stool to confirm my ladder angle is not too steep, too flat.

 

[Brandtnm]

Just 3 leitner bars needed for the tent and awning?

Yes. I spread the load with three bars, so none of the bars gets a full load. The tent sits on all three, but is bolted to 2, so only when we are in it Is it really loaded. Only one bar gets 1/2 awning (35lbs) and 1/3 tent (71) full time, which is a fraction of its rating. It’s been Moab grade solid- Hells-Wipe out-Porcupine-etc.

I now have a 4th bar, on the rain gutters

, but it is just drive lights.

Just 3 leitner bars needed for the tent and awning?